[Lavinia's POV —The Next Morning]
Sunlight spilled through my chamber windows in soft gold ribbons.
Warm. Quiet. Peaceful.
A rare morning.
I stretched, rubbing my eyes—only for the memory of last night to hit me full force.
Haldor. Midnight. Strawberry cake. And him lifting me off the ground like I weighed one feather and zero dignity.
I groaned, covering my face with both hands. "Why did I let him hug me like that…? Why did I hug him back—!?"
"Whyyyy did I let him hug me like that…?" I groaned dramatically into my palms. "And why—" I peeked between my fingers, horrified at myself, "—why did I hug him back!?"
My pillow silently judged me.
I dropped my hands onto my lap, staring into the distance like a depressed grandmother.
"…Maybe because I'm getting comfortable around him?" I muttered to myself.
Silence.
Then I nodded like a very wise monk contemplating life. "Yes. Yes, that is possible. Very logical. Completely rational. Just… comfort."
